Control apparatus



Nov. 26, 1946. H. F. ELLIOTT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 16, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR. zyaroZdf'l'llLaii,

H. F. ELLIOTT CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 16, 1945 Nov..26, 1946.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. JYQmZdFZZZwE,

Nov. 26, 1946. H. F. ELLIOTT Q 2,411,618

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. '16, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet s IN VEN TOR.

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Nov. 26, 1946. H. F. ELLIOTT CONTROL APPARATUS 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 16, 1943 INVENTOR. I fiamZdFEdwZ i Patented Nov. 26, 1946 NITED S TES PATEN OFFIC GQNTRQL APPARATUS Harold F. Elliott, Belmont, Mass 1 Application December 16, 19,43,v Serial'No. 514,462

, A I The ere nt ievent elet e o o men s in eetr l meehe ieme-eee me e ie r to mprqred e mre rate for autemetieelly err; ac ur el were a re ie r ee i system 129 ear-desire meet a. plu ality 9 e e nnels., A

it i e ebie t e the preeent in en o to Pr t ide automatic tuning apparatus for a radio reeeiver; wei h e tr me y e eur e n vpeeitive in te ra e t9 mevetle frequency n i me teeny eet -ne eee fee enqine t e desired ete ien, eeim t, in ar an e nd s o entree e d ee ..ive e eet' e i iser ther e t e th invention to P evid eentroi agparatus gt 7 the haracter described,

t e .eent e1 emit e mvee -u e struetien. is prev e e i ee m lr j th t 'e me .9? the L reeu ne he -gin? me ninto h reflet rmieee se ting e si' ie ki the ree in t e ee ebl ehee set in While e? t same em -ee mittme he were el m n e h m n ei her q eeti e f m the es abli hed ett n Whenee ee eq hr a e d tr un eer e eene i ee d fiei e t pre et mi ed gemm a A Permittin eiwi efl ene e ad ustm t of thi Te eftW e-h e m 'd 'hmugn others 1t 11;. ale t A '21 Claims.

A A 2 srnaii size is provided which inpludes improved .ie l tie er were e wer i leekilie e- 11' nection between the relatively inqvable parts or e m ellenieee wh n h er moved'int bred ernein d e v e n$ In accordance with yet another object oi the invention, all parts of the 'lost-motion' mechanism are positively operatd'in order to prevent inadvertent relative movement therhetween and thus eliminate any pgssibility of thedesired free trav l range of the mechanism being reduced gr eggoeeded during:aotuationoftiie mechanism;

According to'stiii anotherobjeot of the inven-j ice th c r it r e nle d' er eele t v operation by driving Ineans common to the units, and improved connector f ao'il'ities are provided for positivelypreventing the non selecteti units Aewrd neh eneth rteb e t e nren ien ef q t etigp m ehams extrem y ed .eempae w r i n, and y mitt n a large amount of relative mpyernent between two of the parts thereoj, ismp yed, to: establish: a

me ll n e l dr e er l k e eneeet on be ee t e tw Pa t5 h r by t nhenee h a eu a y with w h a le t eble l m t re a d thr u h Flee meehe lsm ma be mai e he a r d rmi ed lsgimng he eeee d e 'le ie ithe 1 tieere hee m A by arranging parts thereof neon eat;

- side Moi, the tie e ement:- or the mechanism;

A: mming:mesa memiemr the inv ntion, a" 'lostmotion mechanism. of exceedin ly r e A I c cording to a further object of the invention,

i e e- A It i a S ill further object of the invention to provide an improved and exceedingly rugged ism for 'limiting'rotary movement of the A i A een r Shaft @Q a pf t m nedret tionairange' and for 'releasa'bly locking the'cone; fi e! 1 3E 1 i i t a ed S ng ti ere?- yide for o'pjeration'ot the rotary controlsnaft W he er f e t ne f t inee whil may bed'esi'red. 1

The inre 'tion," both as to its organization and imethe 9 eperetien; e e t e h u her objects and advantages thereof, will best be under stood by reference. to thefollow'ing specification tglggfi Q nection with lrawirges, i which;

Fig. -1 is a partially ramma i v ew t l u tra ne. t e ee e e r neem 1 m roved control a paratus che a erizeg y til 'reeturee of the present inVBIl'tiQn;

Fig. 2 isa fragmentary view, partially in see:

t-ion', illustrating the structural, arrangementof those portions of the apparatus shown in Fi 1 whioh are essential" to an understanding of the 9:9 .9 nve t Eig 3 is a s de sectional View further iiiu' strat ing the left end portion of the" apparatus snown in Fig- 2; 4 is n nd iew artially inseptio 1 -11 fl e ng the e ie fu e e the reentr f ieel'ewiteb provided in the apparatl .s

Fig. 5 is. fragmentary end seetionalyiew of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2' iilustratingtl le construction of one of the: .eontroi u its provided in th s appa atu E s- 6 .ie e fleew rre e e h eee i 'e sures Fig. 10 is an end elevation view of a modified control unit structure; and Fig, 11 is a side sectional view of the modifie control unit structure shown in Fig. 10.

Referring now to the drawings, and more par-' ticularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the control apparatus there illustrated is particularly adapted to be embodied in a radio receiving system for the purpose of selectively and automatically operating the frequency changing means of the system to different predetermined settings respectively corresponding to different predetermined signal channels. the tuning condensers provided in a radio receiving system may be mounted upon the rotor shaft 3| for rotation between predetermined limits defining the tuning range of the system. The identified shaft is adapted to be actuated to any one of a plurality of different settings, respectively corresponding to different signal channels or stations, by a single driving motor It. This'motor is arranged to rotate the rotor shaft 3| through any one of a plurality of driving connections 'whicheommonly include the gears |2, |4, |5, l7, I9, 26, 21, 29 and 3|), and also commonly include the three shafts 2| and 28. Individually, the driving connections include diiferent ones of a plurality of control units 22a, 221), etc. these control units, i. e. the unit 22a, is illustrated in Fig.1 of the drawings as comprising two enlarged driving gears or actuating members 23a and 24a, two pinions 46a and 45a which mesh with each otherand respectively mesh with the gears 24aand23a, and a connector mechanism which includes the two meshing pinions 38a and 31a, the first of which is adapted to be moved into meshing engagement with the pinion 45a and the second of which is mounted for rotation with the shaft 2|. Each control unit further comprises a pair of lost-motion mechanisms of the character shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, through which driving and locking connections maybe provided between the gears 23a and 24a and the shaft 25. For the purpose of visually indicating the different settings to which the rotor shaft 3| may be actuated, an indicating gear 33 is provided which meshes with a gear 32 carried by the shaft 28 so that it will be rotated concurrently with rotation of the shaft 3|. At the front side thereof, the gear 33 may be provided with suitable scale markings which when indexed with a;viewing window or line, identify the different predetermined settings of the rotor shaft 3|. i

More specifically considered and as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, all parts of the control apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 are supported bethe purpose of providing an entirely rigid and rugged supporting structure. The motor I0 is mounted upon'the frame member 64 at the rear More specifically, the rotor plates of One of 4 side thereof and is provided with a rotor shaft II which extends through an openin in this frame member and carries the driving gear l2. As clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the drive gear I2 is slip clutch connected to the projecting end of the motor shaft II by means of a slip clutch assembly which comprises a friction collar III), a sleeve [la and a dish-shaped spring washer ||d. At its extreme left end, the shaft II also supports the movable parts of a centrifugal switch indicated generally at l3. More in detail, the parts Nb and Id of the slip clutch assembly, together with the housing cup |3a of the centrifugal switch l3, are supported upon v the sleeve ||a which is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the end of the shaft II for rotation therewith. The friction collar ||b is in turn set screw mounted upon the sleeve Ila so that the gear i2 and the bottom of the cup |3a are confined between this collar and the flange ||c of the sleeve ||a by means of the spring washer lld. With this arrangement, the two parts |3a and I2 are mounted for rotation relative to the shaft H but are normally restrained against such relative movement by means of the spring washer ||d which is held under tension between the sleeve flange He and the adjacent inner surface of the bottom of the cup |3a. Within the rim of the cup |3a there are provided two centrifugally actuated parts |3b and |3c which, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, are pivotally supported upon the bottom wall of the cup |3a at the opposed ends thereof by means of pivot assemblies I3d and l3e. These parts are hollowed out, as shown in Fig. 3, to provide a recess within which the end of the shaft II, the flange i0 and the friction washer ||d are received, and are provided with faces which meet on a line and are held in engagement by means of two small biasing springs I31 and I3g. The line of meeting engagement between the faces of the two centrifugal parts |3b and |3c is intersected by the axis of rotation of the shaft and at this pointof intersection, a prick punch recess |3Ic is provided to seat the point of a conical contact actuating element l3h. This element is carried by the free end of amovable contact spring 911 which is includedina contact spring assembly 9, and is utilized to govern the operation of the motor I0 and the various control units 22 in the manner more fully pointed out below. This assembly includes three contact springs. 9a, 9b and 90 which are insulatedfrom each other and are mounted upon the supporting member 64 by means of a supporting assembly 8 of conventional arrangement. The center sprin 9a is, through engagement of the actuating element I371, with the two centrifugal parts I31) and I30, normally held under tension in a position such that the contact carried thereby engages the contact pro.- vided at the free end of the outer contact sprin 917. During rotation of the shaft, however, when theparts I31) and |3c of the centrifugal switch are pivoted radially outward from the axis of rotation of the shaft against the biasing forces of the two springs l3) and |3g, the conical end of the element |3h entersthe gap between the two parts permitting the contact carried by the spring 9a to engage the inner contact spring 90 and then move away from the engaged contact of the'outer spring 9b. 7

' The two gears II and |5 are rigidly connected for rotation together and are supported upon a bearing shaft l6 which is threaded into an opening provided in the'supportingmember 64.. Similvcontrol shaft25jand are of identical construction and. arrangement. Accordingly, the arrangement singers iarly; the gear; which meshes. with; the two "gears l5, and I9 is rotatably'supported bya stub shaft l8 which is threaded into the supporting memberfi' t. '1 A yielding connection indicated genier'ally'at 20' is utilized to. transmit rotary movement from the gear 19 to theshaft 2i, thiscon- -hectiongcomprising a spring member 20b which partially surrounds the hub- [9a, upon which the gearv 9, i' 's rotatablyfmountediis anchored togthis hub at one end and at th opposite end is-anchore'd to a pin, not shown, extending outwardly from the face of the gear [9. The hub [9a is keyed or otherwise rigidly mounted for rotation with the shaft 2| and a housing cup'ZBa is utilized to enclose this hub andthe spring member 206 which partiallysurrounds the same.

The six shaftsll, '35, 36, 25 28 and 3! are also supported by the t'wojframe members 64 and 65.

opposed ends of this sha ft, Similar bearing structures are utilized for the purpose of rotatably supporting the two shafts 28 and 3i upon the two supporting members 64 and65.. The bearing sup ports for these shafts are not shown in the interests of limiting the disclosure to those parts which are essential to: an'

understanding of the present. inventioml' v As. shown in Fig. 2 01 the drawings, the several control units are axiallydisposedl alongjthe rotary offthese units will be readily understood from a consideration of the control unit 220., the parts 'oI which, are'detailed'in Figs. 2,5, 6 .and 7 ofthe drawings. ""Thiscqntrol unit isdivided into two halves which are operative to rotate the shaft 25 to a predeterminedfsetting from either direction ;and;topprovide,a connection for locking this shaft against further-rotation when the predetermined setting is reached, A-l1;parts of p the unit are commonly supported: uponahub 59o which is spaced, from the shaft'25 by means offa' bushing,

52a; The first half of the unitjcomprises an actuating member in the form of a gear 23awhibh is rotatably-supported upon the stepped portion 60,11, of the hub 59a andfmeshes with the idler pinion 4511; At? the outer side of the actuating memb'erziia, a detent collar 51a is provided which i'sfseated upon the stepped portion Bio of the hub 59a and at its inner edge-i rigidly securedto this hub; At, the inner sideof" theac'tuatingmember 23ajand,spacedradially from the axis of the shaft e25, a pinion set is provided which comprises two meshing pinions 51a and Ho having different "numbers of teeth. The first of these pinions is I rotatably supported "upon an axis pin 52a and the second pinionis mounted for rotation with an axis pin 49a journaled in anwopening through the actuating'member 23a. Upon the opposite or outer side of the actuating member 23a the pin; 49a carriesa star wheel 48d having sixpoints which are connected by edge surfaces ofconcave thereof is riding over the-periphery of the ring the angular position of the star wheel 48a relative to the actuating member 23a cannot be altered. 'At apredetermined point around the periphery thereof, the ring 51a is provided with a recess 58a into which the points of the star'wheel may be 'succe'ssively rotated during succeeding revolutionso-f the actuating member23a about the hub sea. v 7 1 1 ld or theinrr poseof rotating the meshing pinions 4m and 5la through a predetermined angle in response to. rotation ofthe actuating member through one revolution about the hub 59a, this hub is provided at a predetermined point around it periphery with an axially extending rib or single'gea-r tooth 600. which extends normal to the face of the actuating member 23a. This single gear tooth isarrangedto mesh with different ones of the teeth of the pinion 41a during succeeding revolutionsof the actuating member 23a. about the hub 59a, whereby the meshing pinions 52a and 41a, the shaft 49a and the star wheel 48a are rotated 'through a predetermined angle relative to the'actuating member 23!; during each revolution o'fthis'mem ber. In this regard it is noted that the angular settings of the star wheel 148a and th pinion 41 a are so related to each other and to {the relative angular positions of the detent 58a and the single tooth 60a that one of. the points of the star wheel is-ibroughtinto registry with the center of the detent 58a each time the tooth 60aengages'one 0f the teeth of the pinion 4 1a. Assembly of the parts to provide this desired predetermined angular relationship there; between is fancilitated' by making the star wheel 48a! and the pin 4'90, of one -piece construction and by flattin'g the end of this pin as indicated at 50a to -coact with a :flatted portion of the opening in the pinion Llwthrough which the pin 49a extends. The two pinions 4.1a. and 5.1a are pro- ;v-ided withun like numbers of teeth; the pinion Wm having a greater number of teeth than the pinion 54a such that'the-latter is rotatedthrough more than one revolution for each revolution ofthe pinion 41a. Between these pinions and the inner side of theactuatin member 23a *there are provided two 'coacting .stop parts 550. and'EBa which are respectively carried by the pin 429a and the axis pin-52a. The part55a is in the form'oi an annular ring having a singletooth 54a at the outer periphery thereof, and may be formed integrally with the pinion 41a. Alterna- "'ti'vely," thisfpart' may "be pinned or otherwise I provided at a predetermined point around the cations: "When these two parts are thus lockingly l peripheral surface thereof, and may either be formed integral' with'the pinion 5l'a or maybe fixedly connected to this pinion;

this arrangement, the single tooth 54a 'may becperated to engagethe blanked out porition of'the double tooth 53a when the two pinions Ha and-51a occupy-predetermined relative posiengaged, relative-rotation between the two pinions wand '51 a inone direction i-s prevented, where 'brin g-"one bfthe teeth of the'pini'on 41a into -en- "[0 gagement with the single tooth 69a oftheshub 59a,

' a'direc't mechanical connection is provided hetween the actuating 'member 23a and-the hub arcuate configuration. "Each-of thesesur-faees has aradius which-slightly exceeds the outerfradius of the detent ring 5711; so that when Kai-1w one 59a: iRela-t ive rotation oiv the. pinions 41a and -SI 'a -in' the; reverse direction, i. .e; inza directionito ngagement, is permitted however. Because of the different numbers of teeth with which the two pinions m and 41a are respectively provided, no further engagement between the two locking teeth 54a and 53a can occur until after the pinion 410. has been reversely-rotated a predetermined number of revolutions relative to the actuating member 23a. After a predetermined number of revolutions of the pinion 41a in the reverse direction, the two lockingteeth 53 and 54a are of course moved back into engagement to establish a new locking connection between the actuating member 23a and the hub 59a.

From the above explanation it will be apparent that since the pinion 41a. is rotated through only a fraction of a revolution in response to each revolution of the actuating member 23a about the hub 590., a large number of revolutions of the actuating member are required in order to rotate the two stop parts 55a and 56a from one position in which the locking teeth 53a and 54a are engaged to a new position of engagement between these teeth. Thus, if;the pinion 41a is provided with twelve teeth and the. smaller pinion am is provided with eleven teeth, and the pinion 41a. is rotated through a sixty degree angle defining two complete tooth points during each revolution of the actuating member 23a about the hub 59a, sixty-five revolutions of the acutating member 23a about the hub 59a are required in order to rotate the parts 56a and 55a from one point .at which the teeth thereof are lockingly engaged to a second point at which these teeth are again moved into engagement. This lost motion between the two parts 59a and 2300f the control unit constitutes the range of free travel withinwhich maybe embraced all of the several predetermined settings which may be imparted to the rotor shaft 3| by the respective control units. As indicated above, the star wheel 48a, through its ooaction with the detent ring 51a, functions to limit rotation of the two pinions 41a and 5m precisely to predetermined fractions of arevolution during each revolution of the actuating member 23a about the hub 59a. The arrangement is such that when the single tooth 60a of the hub is out of engagement with the teeth of the pinion 41a, one of the six concave peripheral surfaces of the star wheel rides over the periphery of the ring 51a to lock the shaft 56a and thetwo meshing pinions 41a and Ella against rotation relative to the; actuating member 23a. When, however, the member 23a is rotated to engage one ofthe teeth of the pinion 41a with the tooth 60a, a pointof the star wheel 48a. is simultaneously brought into coincidence with the depression 58a permitting the connected parts 41a, 49a, 55a and 48a. to be rotated relative to th member 230.. The extent of this rotation is of course limited to that required to bring the next succeeding concave surface of the star wheel back into sliding engagement with the periphery of the ring 51a. With a six point star wheel, the extent of rotation of the identified parts relative to the actuating member 23a is of course limited to an angle of sixty degrees, representing a tooth displacement of two teeth on the twelve tooth pinion 41a.

The structuralarrangement of the second half of the control unit 22a exactly duplicates that just described. Thus, it will be noted that the actuating member 24a is rotatably supported upon a stepped portion of the hub 59a at the right end of this hub, and at a point radially disposed from the axis of the shaft 25, carries the four connected parts 410., 48a, 49a and 55a. whichare arranged to be rotated relative to the "actu? ating member 24a by the singl tooth 50a of the hub 59a. The star wheel 48a is arranged to coact with a detent ring-51a rigidly mounted upon a second stepped portion'of the hub 59a to limit rotation of the pinion 41a and the parts fixedly and pivotally connected therewith to a predetermined fraction of a revolution during each revolution of the actuating member 24a about the hub 59a.

As indicated above, the two actuating members 23a and 24a of the control unit 22a. respectively mesh with idler pinions 45a and .460. which mesh with each other and are rotatably supported upon the shafts 35 and 36, respectively. The pinions 45 individual to the various control units are spaced along the shaft 35 and each thereof is providedwith a toothed portion and a spacing portion. A sleeve 35a carried by the shaft 35 adjacent.v the left end thereof is utilized to prevent movement of the idler pinions 45 axially ofthe shaft and to thus maintain these pinions in meshing engagement with their respective associated actuating members 23. In an entirely similar manner, the pinions 46 carried by the shaft 38 are self-spacing and are rotatably supported by the shaft 36, a sleeve being provided at the left, end of this shaft 36 to prevent axial movement of the pinions 48 along the shaft. The sleeve 62e, which supports the parts of the last control unit'22e upon the rotary control shaft 25, is provided withan extended flanged portion against which the hub of this control unit is adapted to be/clampedJ This portion of the sleeve 62c is also provided with an annular seat at the inner periphery thereof which is adapted to receive a flanged porring portion 25a of the rotary controlshaft. Thus, this shaft portion acts as a stop against which the hubs 59 of the various control units may be clamped to lock the same against rotary movement relative to the shaft 25, The bushings 62 are clamped against the ring portion25e ofthe shaft by means of a clamping member is which is threaded onto a threaded portion 25a of the ,control shaft and is provided with an annular portion 68b,the rim of which is adapted .to belclamped, against, the adjacent surfaceof the bushing 62a through a spring washer 12a. Similarspring washers are interposed between the sleeves and hubsof the respective control units alongfthe'shaftZE. lThese washers,together with the bushings 62, are keyed to the shaftZS by. means of a key 63a which lies within alignedkeyways cut at the innerv sides of the bushings and a keyway c'ut axially of the shaft -25. With this arrangement, the bushings 62 .and

the spring washers l2 may be clamped against the ring portion 25c of-the shaft 25.by.1 threading the clamping member 68 upon the threaded portion 25a of this shaft. The clamping pressure. thus produced serves to prevent movement of the bushings axially of the shaft, and the. key 6311 serves to prevent relative rotary movement between the bushings and the shaft. ,The hubs 59 individual to the various control units are normally clamped to the shaft ring portion 25c fOrrOtatiOn-With the bushings 62, but may be released for rotation to new settings relative to the shaft 25. by means of an improved releasable locking assembly.

This assembly comprises a locking washer or ring ll having fingers received within slots 68c extending axially of the annular portion 68b of the clamping member 68 toprevent relative rotary movement between the two named parts;- The assembly; further comprises a traveling nut ;69

.9 i which is threaded on the threaded portion 68a of the clamping member 68 and isprovided with gear teeth around the outer periphery thereof adapted for meshing engagement with a small gear 83 carried by a-locking shaft 15. Balls '15 disposed within a ball' race formed in the front side of the traveling nut 69 are interposed between this nut and the locking washer H to reduce the frictional engagement between these two parts. The shaft 15 is journaled within sleeve bearings 18 and 19 respectively supported by the twosupporting members 64 and 65. It is slidable.

Within these bearings between limits defined by engagement of the shaft. rings I and T! with the supporting members (it and 65. Normally this shaft is biased to a position such that thering l6'engages the supporting member 64 and the gear 83 is'out of meshing engagement with the traveling nut 59. This bias is provided by a coil spring 80 which surrounds the shaft and is tensioned between the supporting member 54 and a cupshaped nut 8|, threaded-onto the left end of the shaft. A locking nut 82 also threaded onto the left end of the shaft is utilized to lock the cup-shaped nut Bl against rotation once the position of this nut upon the shaft has been established to properly tension the spring 30.

, For the purpose of limiting rotation of the shaft ,25 to a predetermined range which embraces. all of the desired predetermined settings of the rotor shaft 3' l ,;a lost-motion, shaft locking assembly 22 is provided which is substantially similar to each of the two lost-motion mechanisms provided in each of the control units 22. In brief, this locking assembly comprises a stationary member 2'3 within which a stepped portion of the clamping member '68 is journaled so that relative rotary movement may occur between the two parts, and a detent ring 51 which is rigidly mounted upon a second stepped portion of the clamping member 68 to retain the member 23f upon the clamping -member. The member 23 rotatably supports two sets of lost-motion pinions which are exact duplicates of that shown in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings. As shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the first set of lostmotion pinions comprises a pinion 41 a stop part-55f having a locking tooth 54; at the periphery thereof, an axis pin 49 and a star wheel 48 arranged to coact with the detent ring 51 These four connected parts are arranged to be rotated relative to-the member 23f as a unit and are actuated through engagement of the teeth of the pinion 41) with a single tooth 60f pro vided at the periphery of the clamping member 68. The pinion 41f meshes with a pinion 5H having a lesser number of teeth which ispivotally supported by an axis pin 52 This pin also rotatably supports a stop part which is rotatable with the pinion SH and carries a blank double tooth 53 arranged for engagement with the tooth 54). The second set of lost-motion pinions, i. e. that comprising the seven parts 41 48f, 49f, 51f, 52;", 551" and 56 is of identical arrangement, and is also actuated by the tooth f of the clamping member .68. With the above-described arrangement of the looking assembly 22f, the shaft 25 can only be rotated in one direction until a locking connection is established between this shaft and the stationary member 23 through the parts of the pinion set which'comprises the pinion 41 for example. In an entirely similar manner, the shaft 25 can only be rotated in the reverse direction until a looking connection is established between. this shaft and the stationary member 23 1 through the parts of the other lost-motion pinion set, i. e. that comprising the pinion 411', In this regard, it is noted that the stationary member 23 is provided with gear teeth around the periphery thereof, any one of which may be engaged with a bracket 64g extending outwardly from the supporting member 54f to prevent rotation of this member. It is noted further; that the two lostmotion pinion sets are provided to limit the rotation of the shaft 25 toa'range which is substantially less than the free travel range of either pinion set considered alone. As a result, standard parts may notonly be used in the manufacture of the several control units 22a to 22c inclusive, but these same parts may be used in making up the locking assembly 22 Thus, all parts of this assembly, including the detent ring 51-), are exact duplicates of the corresponding parts making up the control unit 22a, for example, with the exception that the member 23 is provided with two, openings instead of one in order to make provisions for supporting the two sets of lost-motion pinions. t

For the purpose of selectively connecting the shaft ZI- in driving relationship with the actuating members 23 and 24 of any one of the control units 2 211. to We inclusive, these units are respectively provided with individual connector assemblies. Thus the control unit 22a is provided with a connector assembly which comprises a pinion 37a mounted for rotation with the shaft 21 and meshing with an idler pinion 38a. This idler pinion is rotatablysupported by means of a pivot pin 42o. upon a two piece rocker arm 39a which is loosely mounted upon the shaft .21. It is adapted for meshing engagement with the pinion 4.5a, but the arm 39 is normally restrained by a biasing spring 43a to a position in engagement witha stop bar 6, such that. the two identified pinions .are disengaged. More specifically, the spring 43s is tensioned between one end 4la ofthe arm 39a and a tie bar which extends transversely between the two supporting members .64 and 65. At its opposite end, the rocker arm 39a is provided with an armature piece 40a which is adapted to be attracted into engagement with the projecting core and of an electromagnet 44a, thereby to move the idler pinion 3.8a, into meshing engagement with the pinion 45a. .The electromagnets 44, individual to the various control units, are all bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to a crossbar which extends transversely between and is anchored at its end to the two supporting members 64 and 65.

More specifically, the armature piece Mia is pivotally supported by means of an axis pin 5:;

upon the lower end of the arm 38a. It includes a catch portion 2a .which is normally biased to engage a catchbar 4 by means of a coil spring 3a, connected between the two parts 39a and 40a, Coacting stop means la are also provided to furnish a force transmitting connection between the two parts 39a and 400. when the magnet Ma is energized. Two stop bars 4 and 5 are common to the several connector assemblies and extend transversely between the two supporting members 54' and 65.

With the above-described connector arrangement, the catch portion 2a of the armature piece Mia normally engages the catch bar 4 to lock the arm 39a in a position such that the gear 38a is prevented from engaging the gear 45a. Thus during rotation .of the shaft 2|, the two gears 38a and 45a. are positively locked against engagement when the magnet 44a is deenergized. This locking connection is important since the shaft 2| is rotated in a direction to pivot the arm 39a toward the gear 45a and hence if the friction between the identified shaft and arm should become sufficiently great, through an accumulation of dirt between the engaging surfaces thereof, inadvertent engagement of the two gears 38a and 45a could be produced in the absence of the locking connection.

When the magnet 44a is energized, the armature piece 40a is first pivoted about its axis pin 5a to disengage the catch portion 2a thereof from the catch bar 4. During continued rotation of the armature piece, the stops la are engaged, following which the arm 39a is pivoted against the bias of the spring 43 to bring the gear 380, into engagement with the gear 450., thereby to establish a connection for driving the parts of the control unit 22a.

The motor I is of the unidirectional type and is arranged so that its rotor is rotated to drive the shaft 2i in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig, 5 of the drawings. ing in this direction, the idler pinions 38 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly, when any selected idler pinion 38 is actuated into meshing engagement with its associcated pinion 45, the meshing engagement between the two named parts produces a force which tends to pull the idler pinion 38 into meshing engagement with the associated pinion 45. Thus the two pinions are locked in mesh during the tuning operation. The mechanical pres-,

sure urging the armature piece 40 of the rocker arm in the selected unit toward the magnet core of the magnet in this unit occurs concurrently with the electrical attraction of the armature piece by the core, whereby the magnet is aided in operating the movable parts of the clutch assembled. The magnets 44, therefore, need only be large enough to attract their associated armature pieces into engagement with the cores provided therein. This utilization of the mechanical reaction between any one of the pinions 38 and its associated pinion 45 provides for the use of relatively small magnets 44, since each magnet merely functions to initially engage the two associated pinions 38 and 45; the pull of the pinion 38 into meshing engagement with the associated pinion 45 being sufficient to maintain the geared or interlocked engagement between the two elements so long as the shaft 2| is rotating. The spring member 201) through which the shaft 2| is driven by the motor In insures positive disengagement of the idler pinion 38 in any actuated connector assembly when the electromagnet 44 of the assembly is deenergized upon completion of a tuning operation. As best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, each magnet structure 44 also includes a pair of contact springs 81a which are normally disengaged, are insulated from each other, and are adapted to be moved into engagement when the associated armature piece 40a is attracted to the core of the associated magnet 44.

For the purpose of energizing the motor l0 and selectively controlling the energization of the magnets 44 individual to the several control units 22a to 22c inclusive, the control circuit illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings may be employed. Briefly considered, this circuit comprises a suitable source of current 85 from which current is derived for energizing the motor l8: and for se With the shaft 2| rotatlectively energizing the magnets 44. In order selectively to control the energization of the motor 10 and the magnets 44, switching equipment is provided which includes the three contact springs of the centrifugally actuated spring assembly 9, push button switches 86 individual to the various control units, and the locking contact springs 81 individually controlled by the magnets 44.

In considering the operation of the above-described control apparatus, it may be assumed that this apparatus is to be utilized to rotate the rotor shaft 3! to the particular setting corresponding to the control unit 22a, thereby to tune the receiver for the reception of a signal or signals radiated at the particular carrier frequency to which the control unit 22a corresponds. In order to initiate the operation of this control unit, the push button switch 86a is actuated to its closed circuit position, thereby to complete a circuit for energizing the connector magnet 44a individual to the control unit 22a in series with the driving motor Hi. When energized in this circuit, the magnet 44a attracts its associated armature piece 40a, whereby the rocker arm 39a is pivoted about the shaft 2| against the bias of the retracting spring 43a to move the idler pinion 38a into meshing engagement with the pinion a. In attracting its armature piece 40a, the magnet 44a also closes the contacts 81a to prepare a circuit for holding the magnet 44a and the motor [0 energized after the nonlocking push button 86a is released. When the two pinions 38a and 45a are engaged, a driving connection is established between the motor l0 and the actuating members 23a and 24a of the control unit 22a. This connection comprises the shaft I I, the slip clutch between this shaft and the gear H, the gears I2, l4, I5, I! and I9, and the yielding spring member 28b which connects the gear l9 andthe shaft 2| through the hub ISa. Assuming that the shaft 2 l, as viewed in Fig, 5 of the drawings, is rotated in a clockwise direction through this driving connection, the two pinions 45a and 46a are respectively rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Accordingly, the actuating member 23a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The actuat ing member 24a on the other hand, is driven in the reverse direction by the pinion 46a, 1. e., a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings. During each revolution of the actuating member 23a about the hub 59a, the two pinions 4Ia and 5la are pivoted through fractions of a revolution relative to the actuating member. Thus each time the actuating member 23a is rotated to a position wherein one of the teeth of pinion 41a engages a single tooth a of the hub 59a a driving connection is established for rotating the pinion 4'la,the shaft 49a and the star wheel 48a relative to the actuating member 23a. As previously indicated, such engagement occurs when one of the points of the star wheel 48a coincides with the depression 58a in the ring 51a. Accordingly, the star wheel 48a is prevented from locking the pinion 41a and hence the actuating member 23a against rotation. As the three connected parts, 41a, 49a and 48a are rotated relative to the actuating member 23a, the tooth 60a passes out of engagement with the engaged-tooth of the pinion 41a and the star wheel 48a is rotated to a position wherein the concave surface thereof which next follows the star point engaged with the depression 58a is slidably engaged with the periphery of the ring 5 0- Incident t0 the described part revolution of the pinion 41a relative to the actuatingmember 23a, the'pinion la islikewise rotated through .a corresponding fraction of a; revolution relative to this member. 1

Rotation of the actuating member 2311 about the hub 59a continues until such time as the parts 41a, 5m, 55a, and 56a occupy angular positions wherein'the tooth 54a engages the blanked double tooth 53a. 3 As will be evident from the above explanation, depending upon the initial setting of the lost-motion mechanism associated with'the actuating member 723a, a variable number of revolutions of this member about the hub 53a will be required before the locking teeth 54a and 53a'are moved into engagement; When such engagement occurs, adirect mechanical connection, which may be utilized either for locking or driving the shaft '25 in the manner explained below, is provided between the actuating member 23a and the rotary control shaft 25. This connection comprises'the engaged locking teeth 54a and 5311, the two stop parts 55a and 5611, the meshing teeth of the two pinions 41a and SM, the single hub tooth fillaand the tooth of thepinion or engaged thereby, the hub 5911, the clamping connection between this hub and the bushing 62a, and the key connection comprising the key 5301. between the bushing 62a and the shaft 25.

In a manner entirely similar to thatjust described, rotation of the actuating member 24a in the reverse'direction about the hub 59a is utilized to actuate the lost-motion .parts associated with this actuating member until the locking teeth- 545;. and 53a. of the two 'stop'parts provided therein are moved into engagement. The engagement between the identified teeth of these two stop parts likewise provides a direct drive mechanical connection between the actuating member 24 and the shaft 25. C

From the above explanation it will be apparent'tliat depending upon the initial setting of the control unit 22a, the rotary control shaft 25 will be rotated in One direction or the other by one of the two actuating members 231; or 24a. Thus, if the tooth 54a of the stop part '55 is rotated to engage the blanked double tooth 53a of the stop part 56a before the corresponding locking teeth of the two stop parts 55a and 56a are engaged, the rotary control shaft will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to the predetermined setting to which the control'unit 22!; corresponds. Conversely, if the locking teeth of the two stop parts 55a and 56a are moved into engagement before the locking teeth of the two stop parts 55a and 56a are engaged, the rotary control shaft '25 will be rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 5 of the drawings, to the predetermined setting corresponding to the control unit 22a. In either case, the rotary con trol shaft will be rotated at the speed of the actuating member 23a or 24a with which it is mechanically connected until the nonengaged looking teeth arebrought into engagement. Also, when the shaft '25 is rotated in one direction or the other, the rotor shaft 3'lis rotated in a corresponding direction through the driving connection afforded by the" gears 25 and 21, the shaft 28, and the gears 29 and 30. The'displ'ay gear '33 is likewise rotated by the control shaft 25 through the driving-connection provided by the gears' 26 and 2l,the shaft 28 and the gear 32.

Whenboth of the teeth 54a and 5411' are moved into engagement with their respective associated 14- teeth 53a and 53a, a locking connection is obviousl'y established which prevents continued rotation of the actuating members 23a and 24a, the lost-motion parts associated with these two actuating members; the pinions 45a, 46a, 38a and 31a, and the shaft 2 I. Thus the entire gear train extending back to the motor drive shaft His locked up when the rotary control shaft 25 is rotated to the predetermined setting corresponding to the actuated control unit 22a. After this train has been locked up, continued rotation of the motor shaft H is permitted through the described slip clutch connection between this shaft and the :motor drive gear 12. Rotation of the rotor shaft 3| and the display gear 33 is also obviously arrested when rotation of the control shaft 25 is stopped. The shaft 25 is stopped in the particular angular setting to which the control unit 22a corresponds and this setting is identified by the indication displayed by the gear 33.

As indicated above, energization of the electromagnet 44a and the driving motor I0 is initially produced in response to actuation of the push button switch 86a, this circuit being completed through the engaged contact springs 9a and 9b of the assembly '9. It is also explained above that when the magnet 44a attracts its armature piece 40a to initiate operation of the control unit 22a, the contact springs 81a are engaged to prepare a locking circuit for the magnet 44a and the motor lll. As the shaft II, the gear I2. and the parts of the centrifugal switch l3 are brought up to speed following energization of the motor H), the centrifugally actuated elements I32) and 13c of the switch I3 are pivoted away from the axis of rotation of the shaft. .H to provide a gap between the normally engaged faces thereof. As the width of this gap increases with increasing speed of rotation of theshaft H, the conical point of the element l3a enters this gap with the result that the center contact spring Bais moved to the right to the dash line position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. During such movement of the contact spring 911, one of the contacts carried thereby is'moved into engagement with the contact carried by the spring 90. Thereafter the engaged contacts carried by the contact springs 9a and 9b are moved out of engagement. When the contact springs 8a and 9c are thus electrical- 1y engaged, a locking circuit is completed through the engaged contacts 81a for sustaining the ener-' gization of the magnet 44a and the motor In, independently of the position of the push button switch 85a. Thereafter and when the element [3h is moved to a position such that the contact springs 8a and 9b are electrically disengaged, the initial operating circuit for the magnet 44a and the motor Hl is opened.

After the shafts 25 and 3! have been operated tothe'predetermined settings to which the con-' trol unit 22a: corresponds, such that the entire gear train extending back to the motor shaft l'l islcoked up, rotationof the centrifuga switch 13 is arrested. When this occurs, the centrifugally actuated parts lfib and I 30 are pivotedback into engagement under the influence of ,the springs l3f and 13g. As'these parts are moved backto normal, the'conical point of'the element l3h is squeezed from between the two parts I36 and with the result that it is moved back to its normal position. Incident to this movement of the element I 3h, the contact-springs 9a and 9c are electrically disengaged .to interrupt the lock! in circuit for the magnet 44a and the motor In. Thus, these two circuit elements are deenergized. Also incident to the return movement of the contact actuating element Ith, the contact springs 9a and 9b are again electrically engaged, thereby to reprepare the parallel circuits for energizing any selected one of the magnets 44 in series with the motor H3. From the above explanation it will be understood that only momentary operation of the nonlocking push button switch 86a is required in order to initiate operation of the control unit 2211 and to insure that this unit will continue to operate until the rotary control shaft and the rotor shaft 3| are rotated to the respective predetermined settings corresponding to the control unit 22a. It will also be understood that when these settings are established, the circuit elements 44a and I5 are automatically deenergized.

The manner in which the remaining control units 221) to 22c inclusive, may, through selective actuation of the push button switches 86b, 852, etc., be actuated for the purpose of driving the rotor shaft 3| to its other predetermined settings, will be clearly apparent from the above explanation with reference to the operation of the control unit 22a. During th above-described rotation of the shaft 25 to drive the rotor shaft 3| to the particular setting corresponding to the control unit 2211, certain of the movable parts of the nonactive control units are also moved to produce unlocking relative movement between the locking teeth of the stop parts of one of the lostmotion mechanisms provided in each unit, In

this regard it will be understood that as the shaft 25 is rotated, all of the hubs 59 individual to the various control units are rotated therewith. The action which occurs in the nonactive units will be more fully apparent from the following explanation relating to the movement of the parts provided in the control unit 22a when the shaft 25 is driven to another predetermined setting by another of the control units. Thus, it may be assumed that after the shaft 25 is operated to the setting corresponding to the control unit 22a, such that the locking teeth 54a and 54a respectively engage the locking teeth 53a and 53a, the shaft 25 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5 of the drawings, by a second control unit to a new setting. During such rotation of the shaft 25, the locking teeth 54a and 53a remain in engagement to prevent relative movement between the hub 59a, the actuating member 24a and the parts of the lostmotion mechanism carried by this actuating member. Thus, the actuating member 24a is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and is rendered operative to drive the actuating member 23a in a clockwise direction through the driving connection afforded by the meshing pinions 46a and a. The relative movement thus produced between the actuating member 23a and the hub 59a by rotating these two elements in opposite directions causes the pinions 41a and 5| (1 and the stop parts a and 56a. to be rotated in directions such that the locking teeth 54a and 53a are disengaged. Thus, during each revolution of relative movement between the two parts 59a and 23a, the pinion 41a is rotated through an angle of degrees in a clockwise direction relative to the actuating member 23a and the pinion 5|a is rotated through a corresponding angle in the reverse direction. The teeth 53a and 54a are progressively disengaged as the'two-pinions are intermittently rotated relative to the actuating member 23a in the directions indicated.

Assuming now that the shaft 25 is rotated in a clockwise direction away from the predetermined setting corresponding to the control unit 22a, the actuating member 23a of this unit is rotated in the same direction due to the engagement of the locking teeth 53a and 54a. Through the driving connection afforded by the pinions 46a and 45a, this actuating member rotates the actuating member 24a in a counterclockwisev direction relative to the shaft 25. With the two elements 59a and 24a thus rotating in opposite directions, the'pinions 41a and 5Ia are intermittently rotated relative to the actuating member 24a to produce progressive disengagement of the locking teeth carried by the stop parts 55a and 55a. The extent to which these two stop parts are moved along the free travel range between the locking limits therebetween is of course determined by the amount of movement required to actuate the shaft 25 to its new setting.

From the above explanation it will be clearly apparent that the shaft 25 and the rotor shaft 3| actuated thereby may be moved to any desired setting through operation of a particular control unit, without any interference whatever from the nonactive control'units. This .is due to the fact that during operation of any one of the control units to establish the desired setting for the shaft 3|, the parts of the nonactive units are so moved relative to each other as to prevent a locking connection from being established through any one of these units. Thus, the two lost-motion mechanisms as provided in each control unit, permit the shaft 25 to be freely, accurately and positively driven in either direction to any one of the predetermined settings respectively corresponding to the several control imits.

As indicated above, the locking assembly 22] is provided to define the rotational range of the rotary control shaft 25 and hence the range of rotation of the rotor shaft 3|. Thus, as the shaft 25 is continuously rotated in one direction, the pinions Hi and 5| I supported by the stationary member 23] are intermittently rotated to actuate the stop parts 55] and 56 until they occupy relative positions such that the locking teeth 54] and 53) are engaged. When this occurs, theshaft 25 is obviously locked against further rotation in the direction'of rotation utilized to effect engagement of the two identified locking teeth. Also during the described rotation of the'shaft 25, the parts 47f, 5|,f-, 55)" and 551" are likewise intermittently rotated'relative to the stationary member 23 through engagement of the single tooth 60f with different ones of the teeth carried by the pinion 41]. Before the locking teeth 54 and 53)" can be moved into engagement, however, the locking teeth carried by the stop parts 55f and 56f are engaged to stop rotation of the shaft. In a similar manner, when the shaft 25 is rotated in the reverse direction, the stop parts as actuated in response to alternate engagement of the pinions 41 and 47 by the tooth 60f, are concurrently actuated toward locking positions. In this case, the locking teeth 54f and 53f are engaged to arrest the rotation of the shaft 25 before the locking teeth of the two other stop parts are engaged. Thus it will be apparent that the two pinion sets as provided in the control unit 22f, function to limit rotation of the shaft 25 to a predetermined rotational range. Obviously, this range may be shifted at will by unlocking the member 23f, rotating this the 'ff exerted bythe"stir-111g 80 until the pin ion 83 carried thereby engages the toothed pe rifihry 6f the traveling-nut 69; The shaft 75?) is' new r'etated to drive the traveling nut in direction which would back this nut away from the clamping washer 7'! but-for the freedom of movement of the shaft 25 arid the clamping membe'i 58; Rotation of the identified parts is con tinned until one limit er the rotational range of the shaft 25 a sflfii'ied through the action of the locking assembly Z27 is reached in the manner just explained. when this occurs, the clamp ing'in'ember 68 and theshaft ZS are locked against farther rotation. Accordingly, if rotat-ion of the shaft T5 is continuedin the same direction, the traveling 69 is backed away from the lockin'g washer 1| to remove the clamping pressure app ed airially' of the'shaft- "25 against the hubs 59 of the sever-a1 cent-rel uni-ts. Rotation-f the traveling -69 ie1ative to the clamping member 68 is continued until the left side surface thereof i's brought iiito tight clamping engagemerit with the opiiesed surface of the clamping me ber; thereby to previdea friction drive between these we parts which may be utilized in rotating the parts 69, 68 and 25 in the reverse direction. At this point it is noted that the amount nioverr'ient' of the traveling nut 69 requiree; teefict the described clamping engage-' in between this nut and the clamping member 68 1 s lnsdfiie'i'ent t0 perm-it; the antifri'ction balls HI irdin dioepihe outof the ban race in which they are disposed; Also; the spring washers T2 engage the steeped hubs "5a with slifiicient prestdpreventthe h s'fror'n being rotated 'rela: tive totheirsupimrt; gbushinggBZ during roof the-shaft 1 5* to drive the rotary control 5. er start it has been rotated to release th 59for'niovement relative" to their reslie'cti esuliiportihg bilshi'iigsfl and. to roduce clamp engag'em fit between the two parts68 and 6 this 'sha finay be reversely rotated for eseoi ciriv-ingthe rdtary cent rel" shaft t e' connected rot'or shaftj'l "of the tuning stethe artieaiar ett ng at which the deor signal chanhel isjtun'ed'in by the te receiver. ,Whilejtheshafts' 311 and. 25 in the e settings by manually restrain the shaft T5 against rotation, th'e 'switch 85 asseciateclwith the-particular controlunit which fs-td be utilized incperating'the' rotary control shaft t eih uan e st iished setting, is op: eifated to" energize the diivihg meter m and the t M ofthe' j'select'ed control unit. is thus rendered o-fierativ'e' to" drive parts he sel e'cted control unit u are" lockii'igl'jf ngag'ed 'in the man; aheve; D'ui" 'gth'e' final portion edcontrol' unit and, asking fingers 54 and o'tion mechanisms pro- 'e the-huh? 59 is -rorid the b'ushing t'i ss e'i eHe-hr thetiVeIost -m vided inthe unit are ehg tatfed: relative-ta the shaft relative-to the rotar central shaft 25, such that when the shaft and the nub 59 of the unit are subsequently locked togetlier the control'unit can thereafter oniy rotate the rotary control shaft to the particular setting whicn it occupies when the locking operation is completed. The above-described procedure, i.- e; that of utilizing t'lie shait is manually to rotate the-rotary control shaft-25 and the rater shaft in to di-ii'erentdesired settings, ma be repeated for eacnoi the other control units in order to'establ-isn the-other desi're'd predetermined setting-s for the two namedshafts. During each setting operation, the con-- trol units which are not being adjusted are main; taine'ol in adjustment because of the fact that the frictional engagement of their hubs-59 with the spring washers I2 is suflicient to maintain the established positions of these hubs relative,

to thes'naft 25. when all of the control 'units"2--2 have beena'djusted, the shaft 15 is rotated to drive the traveling nut '69 in a direction which would bring the balls H) back into clamping ehgagement with the clamping washer -Ii but'fo'r the frictional en agement between this nut and therclamping member 68,- and' the consequentr0 tation of theshaft 25 and the clamping member 68 with the traveling hut. Rotation oi the three identified parts continues until arrested through the action of the stop assembly '22! in the inaniier explained above. When the shaft 25 and the clamping member '88- are' thus locked against fur: the rotation, eta-tinned rotation or the shaft 7-5 serves to rotate the traveling nut'fie relative to the clamping member as in a direction suchthat the threaded engagement between the parts causes the traveling nut and the clamping wash e'r H tobe" moved axially of the shaft 25 until a; clampingpressure is again exerted against the stacked hubs 59; When this-clamping pressure is restored, the hubs 59 are positively locked to thesh'aft. 2'5 to prevent relative rotation th'erebe' tween: Thus; the adjusting-operations are completed. 1 I

Referring hewmoreparticuiarly to Figs. 1c and 11hr the drawings; the -inodified embodiment of thecontrol"unit 22 there-i1lustrate'd may be di-f re'ctiy substituted fo r the control units described abeve'and' utilized-in the apparatus shown in Figs; 1- and 2 of th th"av'vni'gfs. In brief, this modified control unit e'em'p'nsesa hub HIZ having stepped surfaces'upo'n which th ee'two actuating members mo and mi are to tablv supportem At the out-' er sides or the aetuati'ng members I00 and IiIiIi and at the extreme ends of tlfle hllb I 02, gears;

I08 and 108" are seated 'upb'nadditional" stepped 'ioekihg" ehgagerheht with a singlelocking teeth- Icc riiheii ihte'sraiwiththe hub I02 inter:

thesele'ctd icontrol unit isi' a'ctuated' te a position Mare mediate 't he'twq tuat hg embers I 00] and [0.1.

' v ciiicallir'; the" three connected parts "13, I-gm' and H11 re r tated as un t reia'tive tie thj actuating member (00" in response to rotation of i the two act atin'g mem ers, the

this member about the hub I02. Similarly, the three connected parts I03, I04 and I01 are rotated as a unit relative to the actuating member Il in response to rotation of this member about th hub I02. It will be understood, therefore, that by providing the gear [01' with a different number of teeth than the gear I03 such that the first mentioned gear is rotated through more than one revolution relative to the actuating member Ito during each revolution of this member about the hub 32, several revolutions of the actuating member I00 about the hub I02 will berequlred in order to rotate the stop part I03 from oneposition wherein the locking teeth I05 and Hit are engaged, to a position wherein these teeth are reengaged. Thus, if the gear I08 is provided with thirty-five teeth and the, smaller gear It? is provided with twenty-six teeth, twenty-five and a fraction turns of the actuating member I00 about the hub I02 are required in order to rotate the stop part I03 from one setting wherein the teeth I05 and I00 are engaged to a sec'ondsetting wherein the teeth are reengaged. This represents the free travel range of the actuating member I0 0 relative to the hub I02 and a rotary controlshaft upon which this hub may be fixedly mounted. In a similar manner, the differ'ence between the number of teeth with. which th gear I08 is provided and the number of teeth of the gear I07 determines the free travel range of the actuating member IOI relative to the hub I02. Also, and as will be apparent from the foregoing description of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the actuating members I00 "and IOI are arranged for rotation in opposite directions during operation of the control unit to move a rotary control shaft upon which the hub I02 is mounted to a predetermined setting. It will be understood, therefore, that in utilizing this unit to rotate the control shaft in one direction to the predetermined setting, a direct drive connection is provided between the actuating member I00 and the shaft when the stop part I03 is rotated to a position wherein the locking tooth I05 thereof engages the locking tooth I06 of the hub I02. It will also be apparent that when thereafter the stop part I03 is rotated to a setting wherein the locking tooth I05 also engages the tooth IE6, the entire control unit will be locked up to prevent further rotation of the rotary control shaft. If it is necessary to rotate this shaft in the reverse direction to the predetermined setting to which the control unit 22 corresponds, the drive connection will first be established through engagement of the tooth I05 with the tooth I05, following which the locking connection will be established through engagement of the locking tooth I05 with the tooth I06. Aside from the differences just pointed out, the control unit 22 as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings, functions in exactly the same manner as the control unit 22a illustrated in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings.

From the preceding explanation it will be understood that the overall arrangement ,of the disclosed control apparatus is such that extremely accurate positioning of the settable rotor shaft 3I in any one of a number of predetermined settings may be automatically obtained in a thoroughly reliable manner without the use of ex-' pensive or delicate parts and withoutan undue amount of bulk and weight. Thus accuracy of the setting operations is insured by the wide range of free travel which is provided in the lostmotion mechanisms of the control units to permit a low drive ratio to be used between the rotary control shaft 25 and the settable rotor shaft3l. More specifically, the accuracy'with which the tuning shaft 3I may be set and reset to the different predetermined settings depends upon two factors, viz.: the precision of thecontrol units and the ratio of the reduction gearing between the shaft :25 and the shaft 3|. In the illustrated arrangements, the control units, with their many revolutions of free travel, provide for great precision in the setting of the shaft 25. Any minor errors present in setting the shaft 25 to the desired angular settings are proportionately reduced by the reduction gearing between this shaft and the shaft 3i. Further, the provision of the detent rings and star wheel assembly in each lostmotion mechanism insures a positive and accurately controlled drive of the locking teeth of the mechanism. Also, by arranging different parts of each lost-motion mechanism upon the two sides of the associated actuating member thesize and particularly the thickness, of each control unit is minimized. The ruggedness of each control unit structure is apparent when it is noted that all of the engaged teeth through which a looking or driving connection is established between one of the actuating members and the ro-, tary control shaft are short and heavy, such that the established connection is exceedingly powerful.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: 1

i. In a radio receiver which includes a rotary control shaft operative to drive the tuning element of the receiver in either of two directions; a pair of members rotatably supported upon said shaft, a pair of lost-motion mechanisms, one of said mechanisms including parts rotatably supported upon one of said members and disposed upon opposite sides of said one member, the other of said mechanisms including parts rotatably supported upon the other of said members and including parts disposed upon opposite sides of said other member, actuating means including one of said mechanisms for operating said shaft to a predetermined setting from one direction, actuating means including the other of said mechanisms for operating said shaft to said predetermined setting from the opposite direction, and means responsiveto the conjoint operation of both of said actuating means for arresting the movement of said shaft when it is operated to said predetermined setting from either direction.

2. In control apparatus which includes a rotary control shaft operative to drive asettable element in either of two directions; a disk-like member rotatably supported upon said shaft, a lost-motion me'chanismincluding parts rotatably supported upon said 'member and disposed upon either side of said member, means including said mechanism for operating said shaft to drive said settable element to a predetermined setting from one direction, means for operating said shaft to drive said settable element to said predetermined setting from the other direction, and means including saidfmechanism for arresting the operation of said shaft when it is operated to said predetermined setting from'said other direction.

'3fIn control apparatus which includes a rotary control shaft operative to drive a 'settable element in either of. two directions; a diskrlike' member rotatably supported upon said shaft, a

21 lost-motion mechanism including parts rotatably supported upon said member and disposed upon either side thereof, said mechanism-also including parts rotatable with said shaft and disposed upon either side of said member to coact with said first-named parts, means including saidmechanism for operating said shaft to drive said'settableelement to a predetermined setting from one direction, means for operating said shaft to drive aid settable-element to'said predetermined setting from the other direction, and means including said mechanism for arresting the operationof said shaft when it is operated to's'aid predetermined setting from said'other direction.

--4. in control apparatus which includes a rotary control shaft operative to drive a settable element in either of two directions; a control unit including a disk-like member rotatably supported upon said shaft and a lost-motion mechanism including parts rotatably supported upon said member and disposed upon either side of said'member, means including said mechanism for operating said shaft to a predetermined setting from one direction and'for permitting said shaft to be-mo'ved away from said predetermined setting 'by othermeans; means for operating said shaft to said predetermined setting from the o posite direction, aridineahs including said mechanism for arresting the operation of said shaft when it is operated to said predetermined setting from said other direction by said lastnamed means.

5. In control apparatus which includes a ro-' tary control shaft operative to drivea settable element in either of two directions; a control unit including a disk-like member rotatably supported upon said-shaft and a lost-motion mechanism including parts rotatabiy supported upon" said member and disposed upon either sidethereof, said mechanism including additional parts-rotatable with -sai'd'shaft and disposed upon opposite sides of said member to coact with said first-named parts, ,means including "at least a portion of saidparts for operating said shaft to atpredetermined setting from one direction and for permitting said shaft to be moved awayfrom said predetermined setting by other means, means for operating said shaft to said predetermined setting-from the opposite direction, and means including said mechanism for arresting the operation of said shaft when itis operated to said predetermined setting by said last-named means. 7 6. control apparatus which includes a ro- *tarycontrol shaft and a "di'sk-like actuating member vrotatably supported upon said" shaft;

flost motion means [for establishing a "looking or driving connection "between: said member and said shaft whichcomprises axis means rotatably r 22 disposed upon either side of said one member, and 'means'fixedly mounted upon the other of said members on either side of said one memher for actuating said parts in response to relative rotary movementbetween said members, and means" controlled by'at least a portion of said a parts for establishing a force transmitting conupon either-side of saidactuating member, means carried by said shaft to one side of said actuatin member for coacting with the adjacent one'of said parts to rotate said stop element relative'to said actuating member in response to rotation of said actuating member about said shaft,- and locking meansengagedin response to rotation of said stop element to a predetermined position for establishing a direct mechanical connection between said actuating member and said shaft. 9. In control apparatus which includes a pair of relatively rotatable members; means for establi'shinga force transmitting connection between said members which comprises a pair of meshing pinions supported upon one of saidmembers for rotary movement relative thereto and having unlike numbers of teeth, means carried by the other of said members for rotating one of said pinions through a predetermined fraction of a revolution relative to said o-nemember during each revoluandfcoacting stop means rotated with said pinion-s for locking said pinions against relative rotation supported within an opening through said mem- 7 her, parts mounted for rotation with-said axis "means and disposed 'uponop-posite sides of said member, means carried by .said shaft and coacting with at least one of said parts for rotating said axis means relative to'said member in response to rotation of said member about said shaft, and coacting' stop means operative to establish'a direct mechanical connection between said member and said shaftwhen :moved to predetermined relative positions in responsejto ro- 'ta,tion of said axis means relativetofaid' me ber. 1 .7; In contro-lj'apparatus which 'indludesf of relatively rotatable members; means for. es. 'tablishin'g a force transmitting,Iconnectionubieitwenflsaid members which comprises :partsjrotata'bly supported upon oneo'f said members and after, said one pinion has been rotated to a predetermined position relative to the other of said pinions; p v j L10. In a controlunit which is operative to drive a rotary control shaft to apredetermined setting from either'of two, directions and to permit other means to rotate said shaft away from said predeterminedsetting in eitherdirection; lost-motion means for rotating said shaft in one direction and for stopping said shaft when it is rotated to said predetermined setting from the opposite direction which comprises a rotatable actuating member, a pair of meshing pinion-s supported upon said member for rotary movement relative theretofa'nd having unlike numbers of teeth, means for nectionrbetweensaid member and said shaft after said one pinionhas been rotated to a predeterminedj'position relative to the other of said pinions.) v I I V 11. In a .control'unit which is operative to drive 1 a rotary control 'shaft to .a predetermined setting from either of two directions and to permit other means to rotate said shaft awayfrom said preideterminedgsetting in either direction; the lostmotion means for rotating said shaft inone direc :tion and for stopping said-shaft when it is rotated to said predetermined setting from the opposite [directionwhich comprises anactuati-ng member rotatablysupported uponsaid shaft, a pair of meshing pinions supported upon said member for rotary movement relative thereto and having unlike numbers of teeth, a member mounted for rotation with said shaft and provided with a tooth which engages different teeth of one of said p ions during successive revolutions of said actuating member about said shaft, whereby said one pinion is rotated through a predetermined fraction of a revolution relative to said actuating member during each revolution of said actuatin member about said shaft; and coacting stops carried by said pinions to establish a direct drive or locking connection between said actuating member and said shaft after said one pinion has been rotated to a predetermined position relative to the other of said pinions.

} 12. In a control unit which is operative to drive a rotary control shaft to a predetermined setting from either of two directions and to permit other means to rotate said shaft away from said predetermined setting in either direction; lost-m0.- tion means for rotating said shaft in one direction and for stopping said shaft when it is rotated to said predetermined setting from the opposite direction which comprises a rotatable disklike actuating member, an element rotatably supported upon said member to one side thereof, means for rotating said element relative to said member in response to each revolution of said actuating member, means disposed upon the opposite side of said member for positively limiting the relative rotary movement between said element and said member to a fraction of a revolution for each revolution of said member, and stop means controlled by said element for establishing a direct drive or locking connection between said member and said shaft after said element has been rotated to a predetermined locking position relative to said member.

13. In a control unit which is operative to drive a rotary control shaft to a predetermined setting from either of two directions and to permit other means to rotate said shaft away from said predetermined setting in either direction; lost-motion means for rotating said shaft in one direction and for stopping said shaft when it is rotated to said predetermined setting from the opposite direction which comprises a rotatable disklike actuating member, an element rotatably supportedupon said member, means for rotating said element relative to said member in response to each revolution of said actuating member, a star whee1 rotatable with said element, means coactingwith said star wheel for positivelylimiting the relative rotary movement between said element and said member to a predetermined fraction of a revolution for each revolution of said member, and stop means controlled by said element for establishing a direct drive or looking connection between said member and said shaft after said element has been rotated to a predetermined locking position relative to said member.

14. In a control unit, a pair of relativelyrotatable members, a pinion rotatably supported upon one of said members, means carried by the other of said members for rotating said pinion relative to said one member in response to relative rotation between said members, a star Wheel rotatable with said pinion, means carried by said other member and coacting with said star wheelfor positively limiting the relative rotary movement between said pinion and said one member to a fraction of a revolution of said pinion for each revolution of relative movement between said a members, and stop means controlled by said pin- Isaid shaft-and means disposed upon the opposite ion ,for establishing a force transmitting connection between said members after said pinion has been rotated to a predetermined locking position relative to said one member.

15. In a control unit, a rotary control element, a disk-like actuatin member rotatably supported upon said element, a pinion rotatably supported upon said member to one side thereof, means carried by said element for rotating said pinion relative to said member in response to rotation of said member about said element, a star wheel rotatable with said pinion and disposed upon the opposite'side of said member, means carried by said element and coacting with said star whee1 for positively limiting the relative rotary movement between said pinion and said member to a fraction of a revolution of said pinion for each revolution of said memberaboutsaid element, and stop means controlled by said pinion for establishing a direct drive or locking connection between said member and said element after said pinion has been rotated to a predetermined locking position relative to said member.

16. In a control unit, a rotary control element, an actuating member rotatably supported upon said element, a pair of meshing pinions rotatably supported upon said member and having unlike numbers of teeth, means carried by said element for rotating one of said pinions in response to rotation of said member about said element, a star wheel rotated in response to rotation of said one pinion, means carried by said .element and coacting with said star Wheel for positively limiting the relative rotary movement between said one pinion and said member to a predetermined fraction of a revolution of said one'pinion for each revolution of said member, and coacting stops carried by said pinions to establish a direct drive or looking connection between said member .and said element after said one pinion has been rotated to a predetermined position relative to the other of said pinions.

17. In control apparatus which includes a rotary control shaft and a' disk-like actuating element rotatably supported upon said shaft; lostmotion meansfor establishing a locking or driving. connection between said element and said shaftwhich comprises axis means rotatably supported within an opening throughsaid element, a first gear supported for rotation with said shaft to one side of said element, a second gear meshing with said first gear and carried by said axis means to rotate said axis means relative to said element in response to rotation of said element about said shaft, and coacting stop means disposed upon the other side of said element and respectively mounted, for rotation with said axis .means. and said shaft, said stop means being effrom either of two directions and to permit other means torota'te said shaft away. from'said predetermined setting in either direction; lost-motion means for rotating said shaft in one direction a'ndfor stopping said shaft when'it is rotated to said predetermined setting from the opposite :direction which comprises an actuating member roatably supported'upon said shaft, a first stop element rotatably supported upon one side of said member,a second stop element rotatable with 25 side of said member and responsive to rotation of said member about said shaft for rotating said first stop relative to said member and to said second stop element to provide a force transmitting connection between said member and said shaft after said stop elements are moved into predetermined relative positions.

19. In a control unit which is operative to drive a rotary control shaft to a predetermined setting from either of two directions and to permit other means to rotate said shaft away from said predetermined setting in either direction; lost-motion means for rotating said shaft in one direction and for stopping said shaft when it is rotated to said predetermined settingfrom the opposite direction which comprises an actuating member rotatably supported upon said shaft, a pair of meshing gears disposed upon one side of said member and having unlike numbers of teeth, one of said gears being fixedly mounted upon said shaft and the other being rotatably supported upon said member for rotation relative to said member in response to rotation of said member about said shaft, a first stop element disposed upon the opposite side of said member and rotatable with said other gear, and a, second stop element carried by said shaft for engagement by said first stop element to establish a force transmitting connection between said member and said shaft after said first stop element is moved into a predetermined locking position by said pair of gears.

20. In a control unit, a rotary control element,

a disk-like actuating member rotatably supported upon said element, a pair of meshing ears disposed upon one side of said member and having unlike numbers of teeth, one of said gears being mounted for rotation with said shaft and the other being rotatably supported upon said member for rotation relative to said member in response to rotation of said member about said shaft, a first stop tooth disposed upon the opposite side of said member and rotatable with said other gear, and a second stop tooth carried by said shaft for engagement by said first stop tooth to establish a force transmitting connection between said member and said shaft after said first stop tooth is moved intoa predetermined looking position by said pair of gears.

21. In combination with rotatable driven means, rotatable driving means, a lost-motion mechanism including input and output elements and means for defining a predetermined free travel range between said elements and for establishing a driving connection between said output element and said driven means when one limit of said free travel range is reached, a connector for establishing a driving connection between said driving means and said input element, a magnet for actuating said connector, and means for looking said connector against inadvertent operation by said driving means when said magnet, is deenergized, said locking means being released in response to energization of said magnet.

HAROLD F. ELLIOTI'. 

